MOSCOW, Idaho - After a gut-check loss to Eastern Washington in the final seconds last Saturday, Idaho Basketball was hungry for a win. 

They got that and some much-needed vindication Thursday night against a surging Northern Arizona team. 

It was a special night for both sides in Flagstaff, as the hosts donned their alternate "Astrojacks" uniforms in a celebration of the city's rich lunar history. However, Lumberjacks or Astrojacks, the only letter that mattered to the Vandals was "W."

The fire from Idaho matched the elevation numbers as the shots were falling early and often, including two 3s from Jack Payne in the first three minutes of the game. The Vandals tacked on 7 total from beyond in the arc in the first half, including two each from Payne, Kristian Gonzalez, and Tyler Linhardt, and it was Linhardt, all night long, who stole the show as Idaho took a commanding 45-27 lead at the break.

Linhardt, who has played all over the court as the top sixth man for the Vandals (and in the Big Sky), made his presence felt in every area. The big man recorded 25 points to lead the team by a mile, shooting 8-13 (62%) on the night, including the two long-range shots.

Northern Arizona attempted to mount a massive comeback by way of Trent McLaughlin's 35 points, but the Vandals put together strong defense and clutch late-game buckets to never surrender the lead in 40 minutes of action, pulling away with the 83-78 in Flagstaff.

Linhardt's career performance led the team by a wide margin, but Kolton Mitchell and Kris Gonzalez putting up 14 each and Jack Payne adding on 12 of his own. This performance marks the thirteenth time this season in which at least four Vandals scored in double figures in a game. 

Idaho will take this momentum over to Greeley, CO, for a rematch with the second-place Northern Colorado Bears on Saturday, Feb. 22.